Just got back from viewing #4 and while I wait (eagerly!) for gramma's official Geeky Observations, I'll share mine. Feel free to clarify if I got something wrong -- I was really wishing I had pen and paper to scribble my thoughts down.

When Bofur teases Bilbo mercilessly about how Smaug will roast him alive, Bilbo finally concludes “No” and falls flat to the floor. Gandalf pushes past Bofur muttering sarcastically, “Very helpful, Bofur” (or words to that effect). Is that the only time we’ve seen Gandalf be sarcastic?

I hadn't thought of the Isildur/Elrond connection, but I had thought about Thorin melting into the shadows. I thought that moment was especially poignant because there he recognizes the sickness taking hold of Thror and clearly distances himself from it -- yet this is exactly the affliction that we're expecting him to succumb to in DoS or TABA. He didn't learn his lesson well enough.

I watched that whole scene really carefully this time, and found it hard to keep track of which young dwarf was with which group. But I was pretty sure Thorin did yell out "KILI!" when the giant crashed, and quite sure Thorin quietly moaned "Kili" when they were discovered unharmed, and that it was Fili standing over Kili holding Kili's hand just as that scene ends (suggesting it was Kili who had crashed, not Fili). It all goes by so quickly though that the details are hard to see and I could be wrong!

I was somehow thinking that Thorin would be at least presumed King after Thrain's absence for so long, but now I see that I jumped the gun on that. Thanks for clearing that up for me Joe-Mathews! A bag is like a hole that you can carry with you.

If you watch with it in mind, the fact that this is a movie about a family of dwarves and their hired help becomes hilariously clear, as well as giving you the real reason for Thorin's claim about loyalty at the beginning.

They don't harp on about it, but the Longbeard cousins are consistently more stern, serious, and considered warriors (albeit 'old warriors'), whether it be Thorin's stoicism, the obvious importance of the Sons of Fundin, but also the skill and respect of the Sons of Groin - they're so tight with their cousin Thorin they're willing to pick a fight with Elrond's folk.

Thorin tells Gloin to 'get a fire going' multiple times, and it's Oin and Gloin who factor the prophecy and discuss the ravens and thrushes at the end.

There's a lot to like about the other two merchant/tradesman class families as well - Bofur was a good choice for an 'everyman dwarf' who can relate a little easier to Bilbo.

But this is all about the Longbeards and there's tons of little touches to reinforce that.

I watched that whole scene really carefully this time, and found it hard to keep track of which young dwarf was with which group. But I was pretty sure Thorin did yell out "KILI!" when the giant crashed, and quite sure Thorin quietly moaned "Kili" when they were discovered unharmed, and that it was Fili standing over Kili holding Kili's hand just as that scene ends (suggesting it was Kili who had crashed, not Fili). It all goes by so quickly though that the details are hard to see and I could be wrong!

I watched that whole scene really carefully this time, and found it hard to keep track of which young dwarf was with which group. But I was pretty sure Thorin did yell out "KILI!" when the giant crashed, and quite sure Thorin quietly moaned "Kili" when they were discovered unharmed, and that it was Fili standing over Kili holding Kili's hand just as that scene ends (suggesting it was Kili who had crashed, not Fili). It all goes by so quickly though that the details are hard to see and I could be wrong!

I thought it was Bombur Fili was helping up in that scene? Or is it something I have missed? I knew it was Fili that was in the group pancaked to the mountain (but sure sounds like Thorin yelling Kili though).

I watched that whole scene really carefully this time, and found it hard to keep track of which young dwarf was with which group. But I was pretty sure Thorin did yell out "KILI!" when the giant crashed, and quite sure Thorin quietly moaned "Kili" when they were discovered unharmed, and that it was Fili standing over Kili holding Kili's hand just as that scene ends (suggesting it was Kili who had crashed, not Fili). It all goes by so quickly though that the details are hard to see and I could be wrong!

I thought it was Bombur Fili was helping up in that scene? Or is it something I have missed? I knew it was Fili that was in the group pancaked to the mountain (but sure sounds like Thorin yelling Kili though).